"Oh my... my back!" Have you ever suddenly felt unable to bend or straighten your back? Have you ever felt severe back pain while lifting a heavy object or suddenly twisting your back? This is actually a common problem for many people in our country, especially young and middle-aged people. Our back is a very complex structure than we think. So even a small mistake can cause this kind of pain. Today, let's talk about this back pain, or as we usually call it, back sprain.
Simply put, what are Strain and Sprain?
Although we often use these two words interchangeably, there is a slight difference in medical terms. Just think, if you understand this correctly, you will gain a great understanding.
- What is a strain? Think of the muscles around our spine and the strong bands that connect those muscles to our bones, called tendons, as being like rubber bands. A strain is an injury that occurs when these are overstretched, twisted, or torn.
- What is a sprain: This happens to the ligaments, which are strong, fibrous bands that connect the bones of our spine and prevent a joint from moving around unnecessarily. When one of these ligaments is overstretched or torn, we call it a sprain .
Simply put, a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect bones. However, the symptoms and treatments for both are very similar.
Why do we get this back pain? Main causes and risk factors
There is no single cause for a sprained spine. There can be several factors that contribute to it.
Main reasons
- Lifting weights incorrectly: This is the main and most common cause. If you try to lift a weight without keeping your back straight and bending forward, it puts a lot of pressure on your back muscles.
- A sudden twist or fall: This condition can occur if you suddenly twist your back or fall while playing sports or doing work.
- Repetitive strain: People who work in jobs that require repetitive motion (e.g., lifting weights, farming) are at higher risk. We call this chronic strain.
Factors that increase risk
In addition to these reasons, certain habits and physical conditions can further increase your risk of developing a back sprain.
| Risk factor | How it affects |
|---|---|
| Weight gain | Being overweight often puts a lot of pressure on the lower back (lumbar spine). |
| Weakness of the back and abdominal muscles | When the support provided to the spine by these muscles is reduced, even the slightest movement can lead to injury. |
| Poor Posture | Arching your back while sitting or standing puts unnecessary pressure on your muscles and ligaments. |
| Some games | Those who play sports that involve pushing and pulling, such as weightlifting, rugby, and football, are at higher risk. |
How do you know if it's a sprain? Symptoms
Symptoms of a spinal sprain typically include:
- Pain: A sharp pain in the lower back. This pain is especially worse when moving, bending, or walking .
- Muscle twitching or tightening: You may feel a sudden tightening of the muscles in your back (muscle spasms). This can be very painful.
- Difficulty moving: Pain can make it difficult to bend forward, turn to the side, or stand up straight.
- Hearing a "pop" or "click" sound: Sometimes, at the moment of injury, there may be a sound like something breaking or exploding inside the spine.
The important thing is that this pain is usually limited to the lower back. If it travels down the legs, accompanied by numbness, it could be another condition, such as a herniated disc.
What can be done for back pain? Treatment methods
Most of the time, a sprain will heal within about two weeks with simple home treatments. Treatment can be divided into two main phases.
Stage 1: The first 24 to 48 hours
Our main goal during this time is to reduce pain and swelling.
1. Rest: Get as much rest as possible. But that doesn't mean staying in bed for days. Take a day or two off from activities that are causing pain.
2. Ice: Apply an ice pack (ice wrapped in a towel) to the painful area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. This will reduce swelling and pain.
3. Painkillers: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling. But you should always check with your doctor before taking any medication.
Second stage: Two days later
After the first two days, your goal should be to gradually get used to normal life.
One of the biggest mistakes many people make is staying in bed. Doing so weakens the muscles and delays healing.
So, once the pain is tolerable, slowly start walking and doing normal activities. But avoid lifting heavy objects or activities that put pressure on your back for a few days.
Most people feel much better within two weeks, but if the pain persists, your doctor may refer you to physiotherapy.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
Although a simple sprain is not dangerous, there are certain symptoms that you should be especially concerned about. If you have something like this, don't waste time and see a doctor.
- If you are in unbearable pain and cannot even walk.
- If you feel numbness or weakness going down your legs along with back pain.
- If something like a lump is caught in the injured area.
- If you have injured your back in this way several times before .
- If you can't even sleep at night because of the pain.
- If you have other symptoms along with your back pain, such as fever, difficulty urinating or defecating .
Take-Home Message
- A back strain/sprain is an injury to a muscle or ligament. It is a very common condition.
- Improper lifting, sudden twisting, and poor posture are the main causes.
- Rest and ice are very important in the first two days after an injury.
- Don't stay in bed for days. Starting normal activities gradually as much as possible will help you recover faster.
- This condition can be prevented by controlling body weight, maintaining proper posture, and exercising.
- If you have severe pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs, don't ignore it and definitely see a doctor.
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